Millwall signing Joe Bryan on striking balance of life away from football, his release by Fulham and why Bristol City return didn’t feel right

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Joe Bryan is a two-time Championship promotion-winner who has played 371 career matches – including featuring in all five of England’s top divisions – and yet his Twitter bio of “it’s not just football” does not scream or shout about his achievements.

Do not mistake that for Millwall’s new signing not being totally focused or driven to make his time in SE16 a huge success.

The prospects of regular game time was a major part of the reasoning for Bryan, who had been attracted to heading overseas after his release by Fulham, opting to stay in the capital.

But equally some of Bryan’s past mental struggles have ensured he puts things in context.

“It reflects my approach to life,” the Bristolian, 29, told the South London Press, speaking before the passing of chairman John Berylson last week, when asked about his social media slogan. “I’m a footballer but, firstly, I’m a human being and I’ve got interests outside of the game.

“When I come to training I will do my gym, train hard and put myself in the best possible position to play – but once I leave the training ground I’ve got other things I enjoy.

“It’s not wake up, football and then sleep for me. It’s something I try and convey to the young players these days – football doesn’t have to be your whole life. There are many players, me included, who have a wide array of interests, hobbies and friends. You probably perform better on the pitch with that.

“It’s difficult these days, especially with social media, that you have players who are so all-consumed by football that it is important to remind people you are allowed a life off the pitch.”

Bryan has been open about dealing with anxiety, depression and panic attacks after Fulham’s promotion to the top flight in 2020. He scored both goals in extra-time at Wembley in the play-off final against Brentford before his issues surfaced.

“We are seen as machines because we’re here to do a job – essentially we are commodities,” said Bryan. “But it’s important to educate these younger players and my team-mates that you are allowed to have good days and you’re allowed to have bad days. I struggled in the past, mentally. I’m okay now and I’m older now, I understand more how I work.”

Bryan’s place in Fulham history is etched in stone after his two finishes saw off Thomas Frank’s Bees. Yet he is in no doubt that reaching the Premier League next May with Millwall – in what would be his third promotion from the Championship – would surpass that moment.

His first success came at an eerily quiet Wembley. The season was suspended at the end of February due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When it resumed in late June the run-in took place behind closed doors.

“It was incredible, for me personally, but there were no fans,” said Bryan. “We had 11 games like that. I’d much rather get promoted this season, with fans there. That would feel a lot sweeter.

“You are so concentrated on playing that it (the absence of supporters) became normal very, very fast. Looking back it was all a bit strange.”
Bryan’s first goal against the Bees was audacious.

The left-back lined up as if he was going to whip a long-distance free-kick into the box before beating the despairing dive of Davide Raya.

“I’d had a brief conversation with Scottie (Parker, Fulham manager) and we knew the goalie took a very aggressive stance on his wide free-kicks,” said Bryan. “If the chance was there and we needed something – obviously you’re not going to do that if you’re 1-0 up – then I was told to take the risk and try it.

“I don’t think it could’ve been any more perfect – the placement, the timing and the way the ball bounced – everything went in my favour. I could probably take it 99 more times and it would go flying over the crossbar.”

Bryan then played a one-two with Aleksandar Mitrovic, taking a touch before rolling the ball past Raya with his right foot to make it
2-0.

“You think back and I’m going on an overlap in the 117th minute – as the left-back – it’s a bit stupid,” he said. “But I could see the gap would open up and I exploited it.”

Bryan made 28 Premier League appearances the following season – 27 of them starts – as the Whites went straight back down.

The development of American international Antonee Robinson,  who recently signed a contract extension until 2028, reduced his game time.

“It was tough but that’s football,” said Bryan, who spent last season on loan with Nice in Ligue 1. “When you play at a big club then you are always going to have two or even three good players in a position.

“But I’d had a pretty easy ride up until then. I’d played about 250 or 300 games when I joined Fulham – then I played a fair few more before they brought Antonee in and he has gone from strength to strength.

“He’s probably one of the most valuable left-backs in that bracket of teams in the Premier League. I don’t begrudge anyone that. I had to move on and seek a new challenge elsewhere.”

Bryan played more minutes in the Europa Conference League (237) then he did in Ligue 1 (175). He scored in a group game against Partizan in September but clocked up just 20 minutes for Nice after October – not making the bench for 14 of their final 24 league fixtures.

“There were a few Championship clubs interested but nothing concrete,” said Bryan. “The Nice one came about pretty quickly. I’d already spoken to my agent about playing in another country and embracing another culture.

“It was very frustrating. I don’t feel I was ever given a full chance to get fit and show what I could do.

“It was a shame. I didn’t play a full 90 minutes while I was there. I got a lot out of it in other aspects of my life. I don’t look back at the whole experience as a bad thing.

“It was a disappointment football-wise but life-wise I grew a lot. I learned a new language and I had a good time.”

Bryan held talks about a Bristol City return this summer. He featured 230 times for his hometown club before leaving in 2018.

He had completed half of his medical at Aston Villa before his agent told him a bid had been accepted by Fulham, who had defeated the Midlands club in the play-off final.

“My view is that you should always try and move forward,” said Bryan. “As much as I love Bristol City, the club’s fans and respect the way the club is run and what it is trying to do, I felt that going back would be a bit of backward step in my life.

“At the time I was still keen on continuing to play abroad and I made that clear to Nigel Pearson. After what happened at Nice, I still wanted to scratch that itch.

“But you have to be realistic. A few things happened that meant that probably wasn’t a feasible option – after I’d already spoken to the manager there. Then Millwall came up and I sensed there was an opportunity to play a lot of games. I like the no-nonsense attitude of the staff and coaches here.

“I’d heard from multiple sources that the squad and players here are very, very together and very good.

“I’ve got friends in the area, in London, so I’m fairly settled in the city. There are four or five reasons why it ticked a box – mainly the opportunity to play regularly, which is something I’ve lacked for the last two or three years.

“When I was speaking to my agent about my next move it wasn’t really anything past wanting the opportunity to play 35, 40 or 45 games in a season.”